1–What is the title of your latest release?
2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
One impulsive lie leads to a weeklong adventure of fake dating for two bickering coworkers in this swoony destination wedding rom-com by Sajni Patel, author of The Trouble with Hating You.
3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
My book is set in locations where I’ve lived and am currently living: the Seattle/Tacoma area and Hawai’i! I’m really excited to bring readers to some of my favorite spots..mixed with a bit of imagination, of course.
4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
I would absolutely hang out with Bhanu! In some regards, we’re so alike—introverted, lover of sweatpants, weakened by cake—but she can be so bubbly and fun. Willing to go out but comfortable in silence, yet she’s a barrel of laughs with close friends and family.
5–What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Introverted, witty, thoughtful
6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned a bit more about current trends in UX (user experience), which is my MC’s primary role. I’d studied UX several years ago. While researching for the book, I interviewed former classmates and even had a beta reader/fellow author who is a UXer critique an early version of The Design of Us. What I learned in school and what’s applicable today is a bit different. Of course, this is the tech field, so it wasn’t surprising to find out that, for example, agile work programs have evolved while some prototype programs have become obsolete. In my UX studies, we also learned to code in various coding languages, but even coding has evolved. Which is relevant for my MMC, who is the lead developer for the UX team. Did that sound nerdy?
7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I always edit while I draft. While I wish I could say it’s to save my future self from the work, honestly, it’s a habit and more about my narcissistic love of reading my shiny new words.
8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Tacos. Always. Forever. I grew up in Texas and Mexican food has alwayss been a part of my life. It’s not only tasty, but it’s comfort food.
9–Describe your writing space/office!
There are countless books on numerous shelves against the far wall behind me, which I’m constantly rearranging. My main workspace includes two standing desks that touch at the corners to create an L shape. One desk faces the wall and has my giant desktop and calendar and provides ample space when I’m putting together swag or when I need all screens up for major edits. The other desk is centered in the room and is where I do most of my work on my laptop. From here, directly in front me, I have a gorgeous view of the water, which shimmers every evening to let me know I’ve been working too late and it’s time to call it a day. I have plenty of natural light, which I absolutely need. And to my left is a saucer chair which, while comfortable for reading, is where my yorkies sit so they can watch me and ensure that I’m actually working.
10–Who is an author you admire?
I adore Jesse Sutanto. From the moment I met her years ago. She’s so effervescent and kind and hilarious. Her writing style is amazing and she pushes out multiple books a year across several age groups and genres. Her work ethic combined with the high quality output floors me.
11–Is there a book that changed your life?
There’s no one book that changed my life. They’ve all added to my life, one pebble creating a foundation, each stone of varying sizes, that contribute to my outlook on life and love of literary things.
12–Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
My “call” was an email, as The Design of Us is my 8th novel. It all happened very quickly and was exciting because we’d only submitted to two editors, both of whom had offered. From the beginning, I knew exactly who I wanted to work with, which was why we only submited to two editors. It all felt very fated.
13–What’s your favorite genre to read?
I’m binging thrillers and horrors. I can’t get enough.
14–What’s your favorite movie?
This changes every year, but I always seem to go back to Resident Evil. I’m a zombie fan and this series is nostalgic with its badass heroine and fast-paced style.
15–What is your favorite season?
Fall. I love all things autumnal. Give me all the cardigans, changing leaves, and (ahem) pumpkin spice.
16–How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I don’t celebrate. It’s just another day. But I always think of my mom and call her. I feel like my birthdays are days to appreciate my mother even more.
17–What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
Shogun
18–What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I grew up in Texas, so anything Tex-Mex or southern really hits the spot while also transporting me back to childhood.
19–What do you do when you have free time?
I like to play video games with my husband (anything with zombies, of course), take walks on the beach on cloudy days, and draw.
20–What can readers expect from you next?
In 2025, the second book in my YA dark fantasy Venom series releases from Disney-Hyperion/Rick Riordan Presents.
THE DESIGN OF US by Sajni Patel
One impulsive lie leads to a weeklong adventure of fake dating for two bickering coworkers in this swoony destination wedding rom-com by Sajni Patel, author of The Trouble with Hating You.
Sunshine incarnate Bhanu brings big UX energy to whatever she does, including going for the promotion where her only serious competition is her work nemesis, AKA Sunny, the grump with the Denzel voice. She expected to get a reprieve from him while visiting her family in Hawai’i, but the universe has other plans. When Bhanu runs into Sunny at the hotel and witnesses his ex criticizing him about being single, Bhanu does the first thing that comes to mind: she impetuously claims to be Sunny’s girlfriend just to get some peace and quiet. Except Sunny is on island for a friend’s wedding and his ex has already texted the entire wedding party about this mysterious girlfriend.
Bhanu truly is the bane of Sunny’s existence. But the last thing he wants to do is cause tension during his friend’s wedding festivities, much less be the object of their pity. He has no choice except to play along, if only he and Bhanu can put aside their quarreling and act like a real couple.
Between Bhanu’s hilariously meddling family and Sunny’s ecstatic friends, the two are pushed closer together, even as stress mounts over the impending promotion.
They say what happens on island, stays on island. But as Sunny and Bhanu let their guards down, will either of them be able to resist this romantic getaway without crossing the line?
Romance Comedy | Women’s Fiction Friendship | Multicultural [Berkley, On Sale: July 16, 2024, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593547854 / eISBN: 9780593547861]
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About Sajni Patel
Sajni Patel was born in vibrant India and raised in the heart of Texas, surrounded by a lot of delicious food and plenty of diversity. She draws on her personal experiences, cultural expectations, and Southern flair to create worlds that center on strong Indian women. Once an MMA fighter, she’s now all about puppies and rainbows and tortured love stories. She currently lives in Austin where she not-so-secretly watches Matthew McConaughey from afar during UT football games. Queso is her weakness and thanks to her family’s cooking, Indian/Tex-Mex cuisine is a real thing. She’s a die-hard Marvel Comics fan, a lover of chocolates from around the world, and is always wrapped up in a story.
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